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Can you drink kombucha when pregnant? If you are an expecting mom looking for an answer, reading the following post will help. Consumption of kombucha during pregnancy has been a semi-controversial topic. The increasing interest in kombucha has made it an ideal specimen for extensive research. Kombucha is a fermented beverage with tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast. It is widely available in the market under various brand names and also can be made at home. Through fermentation, it acquires a cocktail of good bacteria and yeast, which is reported to aid overall good health (1). Read further and learn more about its benefits and safety during pregnancy.
Can You Drink Kombucha When Pregnant?
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Using kombucha during pregnancy is generally not recommended as it contains alcohol and caffeine, which may affect you adversely. Also, kombucha prepared in unclean surroundings may be a breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms, such as Aspergillus (2). Alcohol consumption during pregnancy, even in minute quantities, can adversely affect the fetus’s health. It is associated with brain development and facial structure issues (3).
Does Kombucha Have Any Side Effects On Pregnant Women?
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Over the past few years, there have been cases where adverse effects of kombucha consumption have been observed. Some of the side effects are listed below:
- Hepatic dysfunction: A study reports that kombucha consumption was shown to cause liver damage and renal failure (4).
- Metabolic acidosisiXAccumulation of acid in the body due to kidney failure : Kombucha consumption has been linked to lactic acidosis, where the lactate content in the body is elevated (5).
- Anthrax infections: Anthrax Bacillus has been found in kombucha tea fermented in unclean conditions. Consumption of such beverages may cause side effects to the mother and fetus (6).
- Gastrointestinal problems: People with gastric sensitivity showed allergic reactions to kombucha. Other side effects of kombucha that have been reported include jaundice, nausea, vomiting, and headache (7).
- Toxicity: Regular use of kombucha brewed in ceramic containers has caused severe lead toxicity (8).
- Caffeine overdose: Depending on the tea, the caffeine content in kombucha can vary. Excessive caffeine consumption can cause adverse effects in pregnancy as it passes the placental barriers (9). Keeping an account of all the caffeine-containing products consumed daily can help prevent exceeding the recommended daily dosage.
- Alcohol overdose: Kombucha is a fermented product that contains alcohol, which you should not consider during pregnancy (10). As per federal law, commercially available kombucha should be labeled alcoholic if the alcohol content is more than 0.5% by volume (11). According to an FDA investigation, the alcohol content in kombucha may range from 0.7 to 1.3% (2).
What Are The General Benefits Of Kombucha?
Kombucha is believed to have the potential to treat health conditions, such as cancer, liver disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension, and acne. There is a dearth of scientific evidence backing these claims. Most studies conducted are on animal models, and the effect on the human body is unknown. Possible health benefits of kombucha are listed below:
- Anti-carcinogenic: A study showed that kombucha could assist in boosting anti-cancer properties when combined with chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (12) (13).
- Antioxidant: It was noticed that biodegradation during fermentation released smaller molecules with higher antioxidant potential. An increase in antioxidant potential with a higher time of kombucha fermentation was observed (14). Heat-treated kombucha fermented tea showed decreased antioxidant activities (15).
- Anti-diabetic: The anti-diabetic potential of snake fruit kombucha was studied in diabetic rats. Rats administered with kombucha showed a decreased fasting plasma glucose content compared to the control group (16). Kombucha, through microbiota intervention, has demonstrated hypoglycemiciXA condition characterized by low levels of sugar in the blood mechanisms and may be used for the treatment of diabetes (17) (18).
- Anti-inflammatory: Kombucha was administered to sepsis-inducediXInduced by a severe reaction of the body to an infection mice, and anti-inflammatory compounds were produced through gut microbiota. Hence, kombucha may be used for treating sepsis-associated systemic inflammation (19).
- HypocholesterolemiciXA condition in which total cholesterol (TC) level and low-density cholesterol (LDL) are extremely low : Traditional kombucha tea and modified kombucha tea have shown the potential to reduce cholesterol and may be used for treating obesity (20). In another study, administering butterfly pea flower kombucha to mice on a high-fat diet has shown the potential to decrease metabolic disorders (21).
- Antimicrobial: A study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial properties of kombucha against different pathogens. Kombucha demonstrated an inhibitory effect against several pathogenic microorganisms (22). Another study showed the antibacterial and antifungal potential of green and black kombucha tea fermented using a traditional kombucha culture (23).
Research findsHow To Include Kombucha In Your Diet?
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Kombucha is prepared by adding a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY) into sweet tea. It is then allowed to ferment for a few days (26). Commercially available kombucha may be consumed directly from the bottle or mixed with other foods, such as salad dressing. Follow the instructions given on the product packaging before using it.
Quick factWhat Precautions Should You Take When Using Kombucha During Pregnancy?
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- Store in glass containers
If the kombucha is prepared at home, use glass containers to prepare and store the tea, as it would help prevent leakage of toxic elements into the beverage.
- Use sterilized utensils
Using clean and sterilized utensils may help prevent contamination.
- Ensure high-quality product
Since kombucha comes under probiotics, its production is not regulated. However, take care when selecting a commercially available brand.
What Are Some Safe And Healthy Kombucha Alternatives For Pregnant Women?
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There are several probiotic-rich pregnancy-safe alternatives to kombucha. Yogurt, pickles, kefir, sauerkraut, miso, kimchi, tempeh, and sourdough bread are healthy alternatives you can prefer during pregnancy (28).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I consume kombucha while trying to conceive?
Since kombucha is rich in probiotics and antioxidants, it may aid fertility (13). There are no scientific studies that suggest the effect of kombucha on the fertility of human beings. You may discuss it with your doctor before consuming the drink.
2. Can kombucha cause fetal alcohol syndrome?
Maternal use of alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (3). As kombucha contains alcohol, consumption may cause adverse effects.
Kombucha is a fermented functional beverage that may have certain health benefits. But since it’s an unpasteurized product, can you drink kombucha when pregnant? Kombucha consumption is not recommended during pregnancy, as evidence stating its safety in humans is limited. Many reports have surfaced where kombucha consumption has been associated with adverse outcomes. Despite being globally consumed, the lack of scientific authentication makes the safety aspects of kombucha during pregnancy questionable.
Infographics: Safe And Healthy Kombucha Alternatives For Pregnant Women
Even though kombucha cannot be an ideal supplement and source of good bacteria, there are other sources from which you may derive your daily dose of probiotics and nutrients. Look at the infographic below to know the foods you can use as an alternative to kombucha. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
Key Pointers
- Kombucha is a fermented drink produced commercially or domestically at home.
- It is widely believed that kombucha has many health benefits; however, they are not clinically proven.
- Kombucha consumption during pregnancy may harm fetal and maternal health.
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